Is Your Mind Absent?

It is when you perform actions unconsciously; without thinking. This unconscious act is a widespread self-annoyance called absentmindedness and is most prevalent with the elderly. However, I’m quite certain persons constantly on the go would rank a close second in absentmindedness.

If you think you’re not one of these absentminded individuals, just recall the last time you worried about whether you turned off the oven, unplugged the iron, locked the door, closed the windows or misplaced your keys or wallet. How about your purse or package? Did you take them with you or have you left them behind?

Absentmindedness is not only an annoyance, it also wastes time. However, the good news is, there is an easy and obvious solution to the problem of absentmindedness.

You’ve heard the phrase “live in the present,” right? There is more than one reason for taking this excellent advice. Rather than thinking about a million things while you are unconsciously doing something else, force yourself to think of the minor act the moment you are performing it. How can you be sure to force yourself to think of a minor act the moment you’re doing it? By becoming aware of the act so it registers in your mind in the first place, at the moment it occurs – then form an instant association. In order words, the next time you perform a minor act, first be aware of it, then form a mental picture to form an association to help you remember the act you are performing.

For example; you’re sitting on the sofa watching television and you set your eyeglasses on the coffee table. The next morning you forget where you set your eyeglasses. Instead, while you’re sitting on the sofa watching television and you remove your eyeglasses and set them on the coffee table, picture something outrageous that cause you to associate the coffee table and the eyeglasses. Such as; picture the coffee table with eyes and wearing your eyeglasses.

It will take a conscious effort at first, but using mental pictures and association is a great cure for absentmindedness. Creating an outrageous mental picture using association is a super way to cure absentmindedness, remember names and faces, remember long numbers and get better grades. It all takes practice, but is very well worth it.

For more information on association and memory improvement, consult your local library on the subject of “memory improvement” or obtain the book entitled, “The Memory Book”, by Harry Lorayne and Jerry Lucas.